This is my research for project documentary.
The Final: Attack on Wembley
1. What sub-genre of crime documentary would you categorise this as?
Sports, Crime
2. Who is the target audience
Football Fans, British People
3. What typical documentary conventions were used?
Narrative, Incident location, Eye witnesses, Social media uploads of the incident, suspenseful music
4. Did this opening conform or subvert the conventions for this genre?
The opening conforms by using the following conventions such as Incident location, eye-witnesses, interview, etc. but it subverts it since sports documentary genre is not commonly filmed as a documentary.
5. How does it create suspense using the following:
- Camera
- The opening uses wide shots to set the scene at Wembley Stadium, a place that's shown as grand and impressive. This creates a sense of anticipation because the stadium is portrayed as such a prestigious venue, making it hard to imagine anything bad happening there. According to Barthes' idea of the hermeneutic code, this approach builds suspense by keeping the audience guessing about what might happen next.
- Sound
- At first, the music in the opening is cheerful and uplifting, creating a positive vibe. But as the chaos unfolds, the music shifts to something much more intense and loud. This sudden change makes the audience feel uneasy and adds to the suspense, as the contrast between the initial calm and the ensuing chaos is quite jarring.
- Mise-en-scene
- The documentary features interviews with people from different parties involved in the crime, and each person is shown in a setting that reflects their role. While this might seem like a small detail, it helps spark curiosity and speculation among viewers about what each person’s role might be. This approach, rooted in Barthes' hermeneutic code, invites the audience to form their own theories and adds to the overall suspense.
- Edit
- The editing uses surprise to keep viewers engaged. At the start, the camera stays on the majestic view of Wembley Stadium, allowing the audience to take in its grandeur. This calm, extended footage is abruptly cut short by fast-paced, chaotic scenes describing the disaster. This shift in editing style catches viewers off guard and ramps up the suspense, making the eventual turn of events even more impactful.
6. What parts of the opening did you find inspiring?
Nothing.
Worst Roommate Ever
1. What sub-genre of crime documentary would you categorise this as?
Murder, Mystery, Crime
2. Who is the target audience
Mystery lover, Mothers, Room occupant
3. What typical documentary conventions were used?
Narrative, Crime Scene, Interesting Facts
4. Did this opening conform or subvert the conventions for this genre?
The opening conforms by using the following conventions such as Incident location, eye-witnesses, interview, etc. but it subverts it since sports documentary genre is not commonly filmed as a documentary.
5. How does it create suspense using the following:
- Camera
- The documentary opens with wide shots of a calm, pleasant neighborhood where a crime seems unlikely. This sets up a contrast that makes viewers feel uneasy, as the normal, serene setting creates a sense of foreboding about what might happen next.
- Sound
- The sound design includes harsh, jarring noises to heighten the drama while recounting the crime. These discordant sounds often signal trouble or disaster, creating a feeling of discomfort and unease for the audience.
- Mise-en-scene
- The introduction features dark, desaturated colors, giving the scenes a grim and unsettling look, much like a horror movie. This choice in coloring contributes to a mood of fear and discomfort, aligning with the themes of dread and tension.
- Edit
- In post-production, the addition of a red tint and glitch effects intensifies the gruesome details of the crime. These visual elements, combined with the overall dark tone, enhance the feeling of horror and suspense throughout the introduction.
6. What parts of the opening did you find inspiring?
I find every piece of detail in the opening inspiring such as the camera movements, backsounds, and the mis-en-scene.
'Factional games’ and ‘thuggish behaviour’: The war within the Liberal Party
What sub-genre of crime documentary would you categorize this as?
It's about Australian political crimes, mainly focusing on corruption and political infighting.Who is the target audience?
The audience includes young adults to adults, mostly males aged 24-45. They are likely Australians, mainly middle class, who are interested in how politics work behind the scenes. These people might be undecided voters or already have a negative view of the Liberal Party.What typical documentary conventions were used?
The documentary uses interviews with experts and people involved, a narrator, and cinematic shots of parliament buildings. It also has re-enactments of events and shows real footage of incidents.Did this opening conform or subvert the conventions for this genre?
It mostly follows the typical conventions of political crime documentaries, using common features like interviews, narration, and footage.How does it create suspense using the following:
Camera:
It uses a slow pan to show the Australian flag, highlighting the location. Close-up shots of the parliament and a woman typing on a computer create mystery. There’s also a static shot of her walking in a quiet hallway, which builds suspense.Sound:
Low-pitched music gives a sinister feeling, and fast-paced music adds mystery. The sound of footsteps adds tension as the woman walks across the floor.Mise-en-scene:
The dark exterior of the parliament and its dim interior suggest something shady is going on. It feels like the woman is acting alone. Real footage makes the event seem serious.Edit:
A campaign speech plays over the scene of the woman getting up, giving context to the story. The cuts between the woman and interviews help explain her decisions.
- What parts of the opening did you find inspiring?
The sound and setting felt like what we had in mind for our documentary. I also liked how they mixed the campaign speech with the woman's actions, and that’s something we want to include in our own project.
American Murder: The Family Next Door
1. What sub-genre of crime documentary would you categorize this as?
This documentary is a murder crime documentary, focusing on a specific crime involving a missing family.
2. Who is the target audience?
The target audience includes people from Colorado and those aged 13 and above who enjoy crime documentaries. They are likely to be engaged with true crime stories and interested in the complexities of criminal investigations.
3. What typical documentary conventions were used?
The documentary employs several standard conventions:
- Police Involvement: Features the role of law enforcement in investigating the crime.
- Actual Footage: Includes real footage to provide authenticity.
- Interviews: Incorporates interviews with experts and individuals connected to the case.
4. Did this opening conform or subvert the conventions for this genre?
While the documentary adheres to typical crime documentary conventions, it subverts expectations by:
- Gradual Revelation: It slowly reveals the details of the crime without immediately showing what happened to the family.
- Lack of Direct Crime Footage: The documentary does not directly show the crime scene or the family’s fate, maintaining suspense and intrigue.
5. How does it create suspense using the following:
Camera:
- Close-ups and Panning Shots: Uses close-up shots and slow pans to create a sense of intimacy and unease, gradually unveiling details to build tension.
- Static Shots: Features static shots of empty or seemingly mundane locations to evoke a feeling of eeriness and isolation.
Sound:
- Low-pitched Music: Employs low-pitched music to create a foreboding atmosphere.
- Fast-paced Music: Uses fast-paced music to heighten suspense and keep viewers on edge.
- Footsteps Sound: Incorporates the sound of footsteps to add urgency and tension, particularly in scenes of movement.
Mise-en-Scène:
- Dark and Dim Settings: Utilizes dark and dimly lit environments to suggest something shady or serious is occurring.
- Real Footage: Real footage of the aftermath enhances the sense of authenticity and gravity.
Edit:
- Mixing Speech and Action: Plays a campaign speech over scenes of the woman getting up, providing context and deepening the narrative.
- Cuts Between Scenes: Cuts between the woman’s actions and interviews help explain her decisions and add to the suspense.
6. What parts of the opening did you find inspiring?
I didn't find anything inspiring as I don't have interest in this kind of documentary films.
Self-Reflection:
I found this part of the project to be the most challenging. I really didn’t enjoy having to analyze and write everything down for the blog post. It felt like a huge task that I kept putting off, choosing to focus on other aspects of the project instead. Analyzing the documentaries was tough because I had to use specific terminology, which I found pretty boring. However, I did learn a lot from it, which is valuable. I also picked up some insights into different technical elements of documentaries, though I’m not sure if I’ll use all of them. Finding the documentaries to analyze was the easiest part because I knew how to locate them and who made them. I enjoyed skimming through the intros, as the information was quite relevant to me. I’ll definitely refer back to this page for inspiration when I’m working on my own documentary.
